Exeter claimed their opening win of the season in a competitive encounter against Newcastle, edging out their visitors in a match that featured nine tries overall. The turning point came late when Georgian prop Bachuki Tchumbadze crossed to seal the victory for the home side.
Newcastle’s Christian Wade was among the standout performers, registering a hat-trick that moved him into an exclusive club as only the second player to reach 100 tries at the top tier of English rugby. Wade’s scoring prowess was matched early in the contest by Exeter’s Italian international back-rower Ross Vintcent, who contributed two tries in the opening period. The match was also notable for the debut appearance of Newcastle’s 18-year-old Jake Dalziel, who became the youngest player to represent the club in the league.
Exeter’s victory came amid injury concerns, with England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso departing early with a hamstring issue. Director of rugby Rob Baxter indicated the injury was a matter of concern but not necessarily a long-term setback. The absence of such a key player could impact upcoming fixtures, particularly against French opposition.
Attendance figures presented a challenge for the competition, with only 7,071 spectators attending despite Exeter’s recent reduction of ticket prices across most categories through the end of the year. The ground remained more than half empty, reflecting broader attendance concerns in professional rugby. This follows an opening weekend attendance of 8,682 for Exeter’s West Country derby against Gloucester, suggesting ongoing questions about fan engagement and value proposition in the current economic climate.
Looking ahead, Exeter face formidable challenges including a visit from Toulouse, the French Top 14 champions, in an upcoming fixture.
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